Chapter 412 — Additional Powers

412.01 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.011 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.012 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.013 Additional Powers Cities with taconite plants can lease or buy sewer and water systems from the plant owners and run them for residents. 412.014 Power to Operate Telephone Lines Statutory cities may build and run telephone lines if voters approve. Cities already running phone service may keep … 412.015 Uniform Code of Municipal Government Minnesota has a uniform code for how statutory cities are governed, replacing many older city incorporation laws. 412.016 Application; Statutory Cities Chapter 412 applies to all statutory cities in Minnesota, including those that incorporated under older laws. 412.017 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.018 Cities Under General or Special Incorporation Acts Cities formed under earlier general or special laws are now governed by Chapter 412 unless they adopted a home rule … 412.02 City Elections; Officers, Terms, Vacancies, City Employees Sets rules for city elections, officer terms, filling vacancies, and hiring city employees in statutory cities. 412.021 Officers Lists the officers every statutory city must have and sets their basic terms, qualifications, and duties. 412.022 Council May Provide Four-year Term The city council may pass an ordinance to switch council members from two-year terms to four-year terms. 412.023 Transition Schedule Sets the schedule for transitioning council member terms when a city switches to four-year terms. 412.03 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.031 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.04 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.041 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.05 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.051 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.06 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.061 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.07 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.071 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.08 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.081 Separation From Town Describes how a statutory city separates from its surrounding township, including dividing up debts and property. 412.09 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.091 Dissolution; Petition; Vote A statutory city can be dissolved if voters approve it by petition and election, with rules for winding down city … 412.092 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.093 Dissolution Secured by Claimants Creditors can force dissolution of a statutory city that cannot pay its debts, through a court process. 412.10 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.101 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.11 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.111 Departments, Boards The city council can create departments and boards to help run the city and may delegate powers to them. 412.12 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.121 Acting Mayor When the mayor is absent or unable to serve, a council member chosen by the council acts as mayor. 412.13 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.131 Assessor; Duties, Compensation Sets the duties and pay of city assessors in statutory cities, including how they assess property values. 412.14 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.141 Treasurer's Duties The city treasurer must collect, keep safe, and pay out city money as directed, and keep detailed records. 412.15 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.151 Duties of Clerk The city clerk keeps records, manages council meetings, handles elections, and serves as the main record keeper. 412.152 Mayor; Fire Chief; Offices Not Incompatible A person may serve as both mayor and volunteer fire chief in a statutory city without a conflict of interest. 412.153 Housing Aid to Ensure Timely Public Safety Service Cities can provide housing help to ensure public safety workers like police and firefighters live close enough to … 412.16 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.161 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.17 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.171 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.18 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.181 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.19 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.191 Members; Powers, Duties Describes the powers and duties of city council members, including voting, meeting attendance, and legislative … 412.20 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.201 Execution of Instruments Explains who signs contracts, deeds, and other legal documents on behalf of the city. 412.21 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.211 General Statutory City Powers Lists the general powers that all statutory cities have, including making ordinances and managing city property. 412.22 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.221 Specific Powers of Council Lists the specific powers of the city council, including buying supplies, making contracts, managing buildings, and … 412.222 Public Accountants in Statutory Cities Statutory cities may hire public accountants to audit and review the city's financial books and records. 412.23 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.231 Penalties The council can set penalties for breaking city ordinances, up to a $1,000 fine or 90 days in jail, or both. 412.24 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.241 Council to Control Finances The city council has full control over the city's finances, including collecting revenue and spending money. 412.25 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.251 Annual Tax Levy The council sets the city's annual property tax levy by resolution, with specific categories of taxes that can be … 412.26 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.261 Tax Anticipation Certificates Cities can borrow money short-term by issuing certificates against taxes that have been levied but not yet collected. 412.27 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.271 Disbursements All city spending must be approved by the council and paid by orders signed by the mayor and clerk. 412.28 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.281 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.29 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.291 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.30 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.301 Financing Purchase of Certain Equipment Cities can issue debt certificates or capital notes to buy equipment like vehicles, computers, and public safety gear. 412.31 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.311 Contracts City contracts above a set dollar amount must go to the lowest responsible bidder after public notice. 412.32 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.321 Municipal Utilities Statutory cities can own and run water, gas, electric, and heating utilities for city use or to sell to residents. 412.33 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.331 Establishment of Public Utilities Commission A statutory city can create a public utilities commission by ordinance to manage city-owned utilities. 412.34 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.341 Commission; Membership, Organization The public utilities commission has 3, 5, or 7 members appointed by the council, serving staggered 3-year terms. 412.35 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.351 Commission, Jurisdiction The council decides which city utilities the public utilities commission will manage, such as water, power, or sewer. 412.36 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.361 Public Utility; Commission Powers The public utilities commission can extend, rebuild, and operate city utilities and hire staff to run them. 412.371 Separate City Fund for Each Utility Each city utility must have its own separate fund in the city treasury, keeping its money in and out separate. 412.381 Reports The utilities commission must file regular financial reports with the city clerk, including an annual report. 412.391 Abolition of Commission or Utility Transfer A city can abolish its public utilities commission or transfer a utility back to the council by voter approval. 412.401 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.411 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.421 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.431 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.441 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.451 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.461 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.471 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.481 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.491 Parks; Parkways; Recreational Facilities Statutory cities may create, improve, and manage parks, parkways, and recreational areas and set rules for their use. 412.501 City of 1,000 May Have or Continue Park Board; Formalities Cities with at least 1,000 people can set up a park board to manage parks, with members appointed by the council. 412.511 Acquisition and Control of Park Property The park board can acquire land for parks through purchase, gift, or condemnation, and controls park property. 412.521 Powers of Board The park board can hire staff, make contracts, set park rules, and manage all park operations and improvements. 412.531 Park Funds Park board funding comes from a dedicated tax levy, and park money is kept in a separate city fund. 412.541 Optional Plans Statutory cities can choose between different optional government plans, including a council-manager form. 412.551 Election on Optional Plan Voters can put an optional government plan on the ballot by petition, and a majority vote adopts it. 412.561 Applicable Law; Same Rights, Liabilities, Proceedings When a city switches to an optional plan, existing rights, contracts, and legal proceedings stay in effect. 412.571 Continuance in Office; Elections Current officers stay in office during a transition to a new plan until their successors are elected. 412.572 Conversion to Optional Plan a Describes the process and timeline for a city converting from its current plan to Optional Plan A. 412.581 Officers Under Optional Plan A, the city has a mayor, council, and appointed city manager as its main officers. 412.591 Duties of Clerk and Treasurer; May Be Combined Under Optional Plan A, the clerk and treasurer duties may be combined into one office or assigned to the manager. 412.601 Applications of Sections 412.601 to 412.751 Sections 412.601 to 412.751 apply to statutory cities that adopt the council-manager plan of government. 412.611 Council-manager Plan The council-manager plan gives the council legislative power and puts a professional manager in charge of daily … 412.621 Boards and Commissions Under the council-manager plan, the council may create boards and commissions to advise on city matters. 412.631 Composition of Council Describes the size and makeup of the city council under the council-manager plan. 412.641 Manager; Basis for Choice; Residency; Term; Probation The city manager is chosen based on qualifications, not politics. The manager serves at the pleasure of the council. 412.651 City Manager; Powers and Duties The city manager runs day-to-day city operations, enforces ordinances, hires and fires staff, and prepares the budget. 412.661 Limit on Council Powers Council members cannot interfere with the manager's hiring or daily management of city employees. 412.671 Creation of Departments; Divisions and Bureaus The council can create city departments and the manager can divide them into smaller units as needed. 412.681 Manager Runs City; Offices May Be Joined or Abolished The city manager runs all departments and may combine or abolish offices to improve efficiency. 412.691 Manager is Purchasing Agent; Audit and Approval The city manager is the purchasing agent and all purchases and claims must be audited and approved. 412.701 Budgeting The city manager prepares an annual budget for the council showing expected revenue and planned spending. 412.711 Consideration of Budget; Tax Levy The council reviews the manager's budget, holds a public hearing, and sets the annual tax levy. 412.721 Budget Enforcement; Personal Liability City spending cannot exceed budgeted amounts. Officials who overspend may be personally liable. 412.731 Modification of Budget The council can change the budget during the year by transferring money between departments or funds. 412.741 Disbursement of Funds City money is paid out through orders signed by the manager and approved following standard auditing rules. 412.751 Emergency Debt Certificates In emergencies, the council can issue short-term debt certificates to cover unexpected expenses. 412.761 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.771 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.781 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.791 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.801 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.811 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.821 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.831 Official Newspaper The city council must designate an official newspaper to publish required legal notices and ordinances. 412.841 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.851 Vacation of Streets Describes the process for a city to officially close (vacate) a street, alley, or public way. 412.861 Prosecutions, Violations of Ordinances People who break city ordinances can be prosecuted in district court, and police can make arrests without warrants. 412.871 Fines and Penalties Fines collected for ordinance violations go to the city treasury, not to the state or county. 412.881 President and Recorder Defined In cities that use the titles 'president' and 'recorder,' those terms mean 'mayor' and 'clerk' under this chapter. 412.891 Inconsistency With Cash Basis Law If Chapter 412 conflicts with the cash basis law for cities under 2,500 people, the cash basis law controls. 412.901 Application Sections 412.901 to 412.925 apply to all statutory cities and home rule charter cities in Minnesota. 412.911 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.921 This section of the statutory cities law has been repealed and is no longer in effect. 412.925 Native Landscapes Cities must allow homeowners to plant native gardens, rain gardens, and managed natural landscapes on their property.